Event Title

Determinants of Traffic Fatalities in the U.S.

Location

CSU 253/4

Start Date

21-4-2008 8:00 AM

End Date

21-4-2008 10:00 AM

Student's Major

Economics

Student's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Mentor's Name

Kwang Woo (Ken) Park

Mentor's Department

Economics

Mentor's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Description

This paper investigated the determinants of motor vehicle fatalities in each of the 50 states in the U.S., and the District of Columbia. Using a panel data set from 1994 to 2005, we analyzed how safety belt laws, speed control, alcohol usage, traffic violation fines, driving conditions and annual vehicle-miles of travel (VMT), affect the incidence of traffic fatalities. Econometric models were developed and the estimates were obtained from a general-to-specific specification search based upon all the diagnostic tests in order to increase the probability of selecting models which are statistically reliable. The empirical results show that number of drivers and vehicles, VMT, speed, and traffic violation fines are statistically significant, whereas safety belt usage and state alcohol policies do not show any significant support for reducing traffic fatalities.

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Apr 21st, 8:00 AM Apr 21st, 10:00 AM

Determinants of Traffic Fatalities in the U.S.

CSU 253/4

This paper investigated the determinants of motor vehicle fatalities in each of the 50 states in the U.S., and the District of Columbia. Using a panel data set from 1994 to 2005, we analyzed how safety belt laws, speed control, alcohol usage, traffic violation fines, driving conditions and annual vehicle-miles of travel (VMT), affect the incidence of traffic fatalities. Econometric models were developed and the estimates were obtained from a general-to-specific specification search based upon all the diagnostic tests in order to increase the probability of selecting models which are statistically reliable. The empirical results show that number of drivers and vehicles, VMT, speed, and traffic violation fines are statistically significant, whereas safety belt usage and state alcohol policies do not show any significant support for reducing traffic fatalities.

Recommended Citation

Stapleton, Hanna. "Determinants of Traffic Fatalities in the U.S.." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 21, 2008.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2008/oral-session-03/4